Friday

Patsy here. Greg did the photos for me but I’m writing my first full blog post in awhile.

It has been an eventful day. I was in a-fib much of the day, off and on. The most enlightening thing was that I didn’t realize it at least once when I was in it. But Sara, my nurse, was exceptional about checking on it today. I really, really like her.

In the background, notice the basket of beautiful yellow flowers. Mark sent those. He’s been sending me flowers every day and that was today’s entry. Do I have the best friends, or what?

So far, I like everyone I’ve come into contact with here. The reason the deal about me not recognizing the a-fib is significant is that it can be dangerous over the long haul if it’s happening a lot. I thought I always knew when mine was happening but the telemetry lab tells another story. So, after consultation with a cardiologist who has seen me a couple of times since I’ve been here, she and my surgeon agreed it would be ideal for me to stay a couple of extra days while they put me on a medication that has to be monitored in a hospital setting, to address the a-fib on an ongoing basis.

I jumped at the chance to do that because it does affect my life when, at times, I just can’t do anything but wait for it to pass. My heart always converts but if I can take a pill that just addresses the issue that would be fabulous. So, I started that tonight and we’ll hope for the best in the morning and see where we’re at. I’m hopeful this pill will do the trick and the a-fib will no longer be a factor in my life.

My patient care tech today was Hemma. It’s the first time I’d been with her and she’s a jewel, too. Her name is Austrian, by the way. Of course, you know me, I asked. Her parents are from Austria and gave their kids traditional Austrian names. She’s a real sweetie.

I am continually struck by the superior care I’m receiving here. Everyone seems to go the extra mile for the patients and this patient appreciates it.

I was sharing that tonight with Staci, who was my nurse last night, too. But tonight I realized she was the charge nurse. I’m not sure exactly what that means except that she’s in charge of some things. I’m not a medical person, you know.

Late this afternoon I was having some pain in my left leg. Because of the a-fib and surgery there was a concern about clotting so they sent me down for an ultrasound that came back negative so all is well in that department. Greg couldn’t resist a photo of me with the morphine pump in hand.

And, bear in mind, if this isn’t the most eloquent, or understandable, writing you’ve read on my blog, that I’m a person with a morphine pump. And I’m using it.